Realtime posts by Whitman Parker, Publisher of the Jacksonville Review
On the heels of the Oscar’s, I considered penning a feel-good Hollywood script about an idyllic small town that would make a hit movie. The plot started like this: Against all odds, a group of volunteer visionaries raises a ton of money to preserve 320 acres of woodlands from bulldozers and […]
Just before press deadline, I bumped into a longtime Review columnist who admitted, “I’m struggling…all I have is writers block and I’m not sure about writing my column this month!” After a nice chat, I discovered that I too had caught the dreaded writers block “bug.” The chat also left little […]
Happy Chinese New Year, Jacksonville! On the Chinese zodiac chart, 2017 is the “Year of the Rooster.” In this issue, you’ll find a full schedule of the Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association Chinese New Year celebration on pages 38-39. With a dedicated team of volunteers, SOCCA will once again bring us […]
I’d like to wish you Happy Holidays and post-election peace! Here at “Review HQ,” the last few months have been nothing short of exhilarating and exhausting, making the prospect of slowing down a bit to enjoy holiday festivities even better this year. This is our December/January offering, the one time […]
In my last column, I presented the case for re-electing Mayor Paul Becker, a candidate with vision, leadership and proven results. As you know, I’ve attended nearly every council meeting, where I’ve personally witnessed both mayoral candidates in action. Having chosen to stay positive in this election and avoid […]
For reasons outlined here, I wholeheartedly endorse Mayor Becker and ask that you join me in re-electing him. In this election cycle, the mayor’s seat and three council seats are open. On the Council side, incumbents Criss Garcia and David Jesser, along with Steve Casaleggio are running unopposed—all are excellent candidates. […]
This month, let me get right to the point—please join me in voting YES on two ballot measures to ban marijuana shops in the city limits. On page 18, you’ll find excerpted copies of the measures as they will appear on your November General Election ballot. I can’t understate the importance […]
Unless you’re living under a rock, you can’t help but notice this is “political” season in America! In the coming weeks, the mass media barrage will be in full-force as candidates vying for national, state and local offices hijack the airwaves and internet to convince us to vote “their way.”
Here in […]
Welcome to summer in the city…make that summer in the small town! Now that the Britt concert season is in full-swing and town is hopping with locals and visitors out and about, this is a great time of year to enjoy all that Jacksonville… and the Rogue Valley has to offer.
From […]
When I was a young boy growing up in Wyckoff, New Jersey, we were a one-car family. Several times a week, I loved tagging along as my mother shuttled my father to and from the train station for his daily commute into New York City. Often, while sitting in the family […]
The city’s delay to expand its Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) has resulted in an unintended consequence with a marijuana farm being established just east of the city limits. This photo, taken the week of April 20, shows a fence being erected around a one-acre section of a larger, 30-acre parcel of […]
This month, our pages are overflowing with “what-to-do” hiking articles that will guide you to the best trail systems in Southern Oregon. Located in our own backyard and within minutes of town, we are literally surrounded by hiking trails, managed and maintained by the Jacksonville Woodlands Association, Forest Park Trails Association, […]
At its first meeting this year, the Jacksonville Budget Committee sounded the alarm about financial stress our public safety program faces in future budget years. For now, town finances are fine, but may not be be so fine starting in 2018. To gather public input, the City Council has scheduled a […]
When expressing My View, it’s always penned with a deliberate “end in-mind,” intent that what’s expressed will make a difference and possibly shape public policy. On that note, I’d like to share my thoughts on a matter of utmost importance that will impact Jacksonville’s future—marijuana.
On January 5 at its first meeting […]
As the year comes to a close, I’d like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. Looking back on 2015, I must admit it’s been a very productive, interesting, mostly fun and very busy year. On a sadder note, it’s also been a year that saw the […]
As fall colors abound, much of our attention now turns toward celebrating the holidays, making this a good time to express my gratitude for those who make the Jacksonville Review possible. With an incredible team of volunteer contributors, Andrea and I are able to produce a magazine reflective of everyday life […]
Up until a few minutes ago, as I was channel-surfing to find the Oregon Ducks game on television, I thought this column was in the can. Not so fast, I said to myself as coverage of the Chilean earthquake appeared on-screen. Had I not seen the coverage, this column would have […]
At times, living and working in a small town brings unusual challenges that end-up producing extraordinary and unexpected results.
Reflecting back to early 2008, Jacksonville was stuck in the grips of a national economic recession that was taking a toll on businesses, large and small. It was the same year I took […]
As a publisher, I spend a fair amount of my time out and about walking and talking with locals and visitors – getting a feel for things on the ground is a part of my job and something I enjoy. Discussion topics run the gamut from family affairs to politics and […]
I just sat down to pen this column on a sunny Saturday morning, one day before the Summer Solstice. The weather is perfect so the office door is wide open, allowing the sights and sounds of Jacksonville to flood-in. Just now, I caught a glimpse of two 18-wheelers cruising by— not the normal gravel or […]
After sitting through the first meeting of “budget season,” it occurred to me that living in Jacksonville is a “bargain.” Please don’t get me wrong; I don’t like paying taxes any more than the next guy and certainly expect public employees to take their duties seriously by never wasting public money.
However, […]
It’s the time of year when the pages of the Review and our online calendars are filling-up with fun things to do as fast as our local wineries are running their bottling lines. With summer upon us, there’s a host of not-to-be-missed events and activities you’ll read about in this issue.
This […]
I’m at my desk typing this column—on a perfect spring day—thinking I should be taking a long walk on one of the Jacksonville Woodlands trails instead! It’s one of those days when it’s a shame to be indoors when there’s so much to see and do outside.
As I strolled into work […]
Last month, I had a 5-day “hall pass” to get out of town with my wife, Jo. Our trip to the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show was primarily a jewelry buying trip for Jo’s in-town shop, but since I have family in Arizona, it also provided a […]
This year, our City Council must weigh the importance of and address several challenges including the Courthouse, the Jacksonville Dam, the need for a new Fire Station and updating the Comprehensive Plan and Urban Growth Boundary.
On the Courthouse: the decision to move city offices into the historic building is seen by […]
It’s hard to believe this is the final issue of 2014…I’m wondering where the year has gone! I’d like to wish everyone the happiest of holidays and express my sincere thanks to our readers, contributors and advertisers for helping make this our best year ever! As with every issue, my Production […]
This fall has been an exciting time in Jacksonville. In the midst of it all, it’s also election season and the Review sponsored the City Council Candidate Forum, which drew a full house of interested voters! Thanks to Carolyn Kingsnorth for doing an outstanding job of moderating the forum. After 8:00pm on Election Day, you’ll […]
This is City Council election season in Jacksonville—ballots for the November, 2014 General Election will be mailed-out by Jackson County Elections Division on October 17.
Mark your calendars for October 16, from 6:00–7:30pm, when the Jacksonville Review will host a “Meet the Candidates Forum” at the Naversen Room at the Library—Jacksonville voters […]
Wow, What a Summer!—Several people/groups deserve our thanks for helping make this a fun and interesting summer: Donna Briggs and her team at Britt Festivals for an outstanding season, Maestro Teddy Abrams whose non-stop energy and enthusiasm reignited the Britt Classical Festival and helped set attendance records, Angela Warren, Britt’s Director of Performing Arts, the […]
Although I could fill this page with commentary related to Jacksonville politics, I thought I’d give it a rest for a month and talk about something far more interesting and fun—the Britt Classical Season, now in full-swing.
I’d like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to a few friends for their vision, leadership and contributions to our community—Mel & Brooke Ashland, Rob Buerk, Steve Casaleggio and Donna Briggs.
Rob Buerk & Steve Casaleggio
In the […]
It’s now “summer in the city” as the pace of our small town life picks-up and town bustles with events and activities galore! From the Taste of Summer Celebration, incredible Britt concerts on the Hill, the Historic Home and Garden Tour, to our charming Farmers Market and so much more, this is high season and our time in the sun.
Can you feel the buzz in the air…the energy as our micro-town emerges from its winter slumber? This month and all summer long, there are so many events and positive things happening—thanks to great people who are making a difference.
Starting in May, anyone interested in history is in for a treat as multiple seasonal events […]
On March 18, the City Council formally voted to move Jacksonville’s city offices to the Historic Courthouse. Although I still believe that city offices are not the highest and best use of the building, I’m now on-board and look forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve talked about the incredible volunteers making Jacksonville a wonderful place to live. At the Review, I’m fond of saying, “the ‘V’ in Jacksonville is for “volunteer!” On February 18, I was thrilled when Mayor Paul Becker presented Dirk Siedlecki with the 2013 “Person of the Year” award.
Welcome to the Year of the Horse! As we’ve been doing for nearly six years now, this issue of the Review is packed with news and information on what’s happening in our little corner of the world...
I’d like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and express my sincere thanks for making 2013 another wonderful year here at the Review!
Not long ago, I wrote a column decrying the use of social media, going so far as to say...
On September 20, I attended a seminar at Medford City Hall on earthquake preparedness...
This month, the Review celebrates our local merchants and the local grape harvest with features and articles on both topics.
As Summer gives way to Fall, I’m looking forward to cooler days and hoping for blue skies overhead. This summer was unusual with extreme bursts of heat coupled with smoke-filled skies from nearby forest fires—both put a damper on all sorts of outdoor activities and commerce. For many local businesses, the economic consequence of reduced […]
The Question of the Courthouse…My Opinion by Jacksonville Review Publisher Whitman Parker.
This month, I thought I’d give-up my column space to focus on one of my favorite Jacksonville volunteers, Dirk Siedlecki.
Thank you Jacksonville! It’s hard to believe this July 2013 issue marks my 5-year anniversary as Publisher of the Review...
It’s finally here…summer, that is!
It’s hard to imagine pioneer-vintner Peter Britt dreamed that Jacksonville would be considered the “heart of Southern Oregon wine country”
MyView – April 2013
Within an hour or so, I will have completed this column which is always my final task before the newest issue of the Review is sent to Valley Web, our printer. Although I’m stuck behind my desk for the time being, I know it’s worth it because my next “tasks” will be […]
Here’s hoping March comes in like a lamb and leaves like one, too! If you’re like me, your weather patience has worn thin and you’re wishing for warmer days, brighter skies and that the groundhog was right and spring will come early.
I want to take a moment and thank the bosses at the Boosters Club […]
The other day, a reader and I were discussing the Review’s increasing focus on the arts in Jacksonville...
As I mentioned last month, as a town resident, I’m dedicated to advocating for causes that improve Jacksonville’s quality of life...